“What’s the thing, Devin?”
“You know I’m the current CEO of my family’s business, and you know that I run it rather off grid, right?”
“Yeah, like me, you work online.”
“Correct.”
Now he’s pacing. Pacing’s not good. Definitely not a good sign for what he’s about to say.
“Well, honey, there’s a reason I’m off the grid, so to speak.”
“Okay.”
“There are people always trying to take over my position.”
How could anyone overtake a CEO? What the heck was he talking about?
I can’t think straight as I take in his clenched jaw and closed-off expression, something I’ve never seen on him before. He’s always been so transparent.
“My family’s business is something of a guiding force in this part of the country. We’ve been brokering all the cork supplies for the California wineries and the ones in the South of France for the better part of the last hundred and fifty years.”
Stopping only to take a breath, he continues.
“My great-great- grandfather cornered the market for this region, and it grew from there. As each generation took control of the company, their unique attention to detail defined the updates on the product and distributions venues, making us a legend among the wine industry. My father captivated the South of France production venues with his attention to the demands of the region as they transitioned for the inadequate oxidation through the cork.”
I’m completely shocked and floored. I knew the family business Devin operated did well, but to find out it has done this well is humbling, to say the least. Thinking my jaw has literally hit the floor, I ask, “So, what is your contribution as CEO?”
“My contribution is the integration of wine bottle stoppers alternatives,” he says nonchalantly. “Mainly the introduction of bark as an alternative to traditional cork. The bottle stoppers variations to the layman.”
I realize belatedly that this is the most he’s ever talked about the family business the entire time we’ve known each other.
Doesn’t help that you never asked or bothered to feign interest in the subject. Why would he talk to you about it in-depth? It’s a wonder the man puts up with me.
“Wow, Devin, I feel I should apologize. I knew nothing about any of this.” I shake my head in disbelief at what a horrible girlfriend I’m being. “How selfish am I, that I didn’t know a thing about your family business—let alone your contributions. I’m so sorry.”
“Honey, are you serious? It’s not like I tried really hard to tell you all the details. I figured you’d ask me sooner or later, so I just let it go.”
“I knew you were a force to be reckoned with, but Dev, this is huge!”
I am finally seeing the big picture, and weight of our relationship. The pressure he’s kept off me by not telling me all this was so protective, so loving, so caring, so Devin.
Gasping between breaths, I can’t contain my love for him any longer.
“I love you, too, Devin.”
“Oh, honey, I knew you’d understand why I never mentioned all this to you before. You just get it, don’t you?”
“Yes, of course I get it. It’s how you are. It’s you, and I love you for it.”
“I’m glad.”
He draws me against his chest in a crushing hug that speaks for all the anxiety we both feel, and yet it’s humble enough that we can feel the completeness and loving support in our relationship.
“So, because of your ability to understand and see the details you perceive, someone is trying to take over your position at the company? I’m confused.”
“Our business was privately owned and operated for over a hundred years, but when the wine industry had a major collapse, the family had no choice but to open publicly. Shares were distributed to the employees and family members, with a majority of stock owned by myself, along with my brothers and sister, as well as my parents.”
“But there are some people who are trying to take the company out from under us and take advantage of the operations for outside growth. It’s a bit complicated, but the gist of it is that if one of us falls as CEO, the possibility that the company is no longer in the hands of the family would be detrimental to the shareholders and employees, as well as our partners and affiliates.”
“It’s the family’s ability to magnify our attention to detail that’s kept us above the competition, and it’s only family members who seem to view things in that way. My dad says it’s because the wine industry is in our bones. We see things differently than other folks do.”
“That’s amazing and surreal, that you could do all of this.”
“It’s what we do.”
He kisses the top of my head, and I can sense his smile.
I roll my eyes, exasperated that his ego may have just doubled—which really doesn’t need bolstering as it is.
“Don’t be an ass.”
“Who, me?”
“Yes, you.”
This could turn into something much more interesting if he keeps roaming those hands up and down my sides and arms, kissing my neck in that way he does.
Ugh, get under control here.
“Dev, we can’t do this now.”
“Why not?” he whispers against my ear.
“Mmm.”
Crap, why not?
I can’t think when his tongue is on my earlobe and his hot breath is teasing me in that way that gets me all bothered in the best possible way.
I step out of his arms and his reach, then take a shaky deep breath.
“Okay, let’s figure out if someone is actually out there first, watching us and stalking us. Then we figure out if it’s me or you they’re after.”
He nods and adjusts the tent in his pants into a more comfortable position. Thankfully we made it back to the condo before we really got into this discussion. Then he turns to the kitchen to grab some water out of the fridge. Placing a bottle in my hand, he twists the cap lose for me.
I take a huge gulp of the cool liquid that caresses its way down my throat. It’s a welcome reprieve from the hot dry dessert that is my mouth.
“Better?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Do you have a plan?”
“Actually, I think I do.”
“Okay, what is it?”
Chapter Eight
It’s official. I hate this stupid plan.
Two weeks of following this plan has me completely insane. I’m going out of my mind worse than before, when I had my own possible stalker out to get me. But now that we both may possibly have one, we are both jagged and unnerved.
Devin wanted to make sure we both could be accessed in case our stalker made a move, but unbeknownst to me, he’s had a private security team watching us the whole time, so we really needn’t have worried about anything happening to either of us.
He even went so far as to approach Frank, my building’s head of security and doorman, to get him in on the plan.
What is this stupid plan, you may be thinking? Well, let me tell you. It’s to just go about our lives as if nothing is strange happening.
How dumb is that?
I want off this hellish rollercoaster ride. Now, please.
Dammit, the worst part is Devin seems completely unaffected by all of this. I’m a bunch of nerves, and he seems just as he was before all this started happening.
“That’s it.”
“What?”
“This is driving me nuts!”
“What?”
“What do you mean, what?”
“What?” he says, before realizing he’s said that already.
“Devin, are you seriously trying to tell me you don’t have a problem with any of this?” My hands circle in the air above my head before coming to down shoulder height as they flail about around us. “This. This waiting around.”
“Nope.”
“Nope?”
“Nope.”
He just
shrugs, as if we’re discussing what to have for dinner—and not some freak trying to do God knows what to either of us.
“Honey, look…”
“No, you look! I went through this before. I won’t do it again.”
Exasperated at the idea of having to relive this nightmare, I run my fingers through my hair before I cough out a laugh of frustration.
He’s sitting calmly on the couch, looking at me as though my head might explode at any moment. The gears in his head seem to be contemplating something, as though he’s determining if his idea will work. Then he seems to come to a conclusion.
“Maybe we should leave, then.”
“You’re not serious.”
“Yes, I’m serious. Dead serious. If you’re this uncomfortable waiting, let’s go somewhere else that will make this all a bit easier on both of us.”
“You seem fine.” I narrow my eyes, shooting daggers at him. “You just said you didn’t have a problem waiting around like nothing was wrong, so why would you all of a sudden want to leave?”
“I’m anything but fine. I’ve been on an adrenaline high since we realized someone was out there watching us.” He pauses to look up at me. “I’m constantly worried about you and how you are handling things. Plus, my parents are now calling daily, and my siblings are driving me nuts with their relentless ideas and thoughts about who it could be. This morning the toast popped and I hit the floor, thinking it was a sniper shooting through the window from across the street.”
“Why didn’t you say something?” Dumbfounded, I continue. “I thought I had to be strong for you, since you seemed to have it all together.”
“Clara, I don’t have anything together. I’m terrified that whoever this person is may try to hurt you to get to me. I’m also scared that whoever is after you may get you, too. I’m constantly worried that if I leave your side, it’ll be the last time we’re together. I’m living in a constant state of worry, and second-guessing myself to keep you safe. On top of the stress of worrying about the both of us, we have to figure out who it is before they try and get us.”
He huffs out a long breath, trying to regain some control of his emotions.
“So yeah, I’m anything but keeping it together. I must be a fantastic actor, though, if even you think I’m keeping it together.”
“Either that or…”
I’m unable to get the rest of the words out, as the thought is too devastating to consider. Instead, I embrace him from behind, startling him and causing him to flinch from my touch.
“I’ve been there, remember?” I say as I hold him tighter, feeling his muscles bunch beneath my touch.
“How did you live like this? It’s only been a short time, much shorter than what you experienced, and I’m already losing my mind with the worry. How did you manage all those years like this?”
“It wasn’t easy. I had some help, though, to get through it.”
He shakes his head while grabbing my hands and pulling me around to face him.
“I now get how devastating it must have been to find out your friends and support system were using you all that time.”
“I’m sorry you understand now. As fucked up as it is, I never wanted you to understand any of it. Supporting me is one thing, but understanding comes with experiences I never wanted you to have to deal with.”
“We can’t help the direction our lives lead us in. Most of the time, we survive the trials only to deal with more trials.” He holds me closer, tightens his hold on me, and whispers in my ear. “It only makes us stronger, if we stick together.”
I breathe in his appealing scent when he kisses the top of my head.
“Love is the knowledge that we are doing all we can for each other. That our hearts are not dependent upon another person, but better, due to the love we are surrounded by because of that person. Knowing this, I know for certain I’m a stronger person because of our love for each other. And we will get through this. We have to.”
“I’m sorry,” I say.
I feel the cocoon of our love surround us, along with the knowledge that our relationship will endure no matter the obstacles that lie ahead for us.
My eyes shine with unshed tears and my heart leaps from my chest the moment I see Devin’s shoulders sag with relief. He doesn’t have to hide himself around me. He doesn’t have to put on a brave face just because he’s the man and is supposed to. He’s already perfect to me, and even if he loses all his composure in front of me, I will always regard him with all the love and admiration that’s existed between us from the start.
He doesn’t acknowledge the apology, he just holds on to me as though I am his lifeline. And let’s face it, I am.
***
“I want to spend the day just like this,” Devin says as he looks up from where his head rests on my chest in our bed.
“I won’t object to that.”
“Good.”
Lying in silence and just welcoming the warmth of being in each other’s arms, I realize now how the stress has been weighing on him. Even now, as he splays across my stomach, his shoulders seem locked in an uncomfortable, lifted position. Without too much movement to jostle him, I work on ways to make him relax and get the much-needed rest he’s deprived himself of over the last few weeks.
When his eyelids droop and his body begins to sag, I know my plan is working. When he’s finally asleep, I take the opportunity to study him. His rugged profile speaks volumes of the beautiful man who sleeps next to me. I’m unable to comprehend that someone out there wants to hurt this incredible person.
“I love you so much,” I whisper, stroking his hair lightly.
Then his eyes flutter open and greet me in response.
“I didn’t mean to wake you. I just had to say it out loud.”
“I love you so much, too, honey,” he whispers back as his eyes close again.
Knowing what I have to do, I decide to do everything in my power and beyond to protect, support, and be there for Devin as much as he will allow. Even giving him a slight reprieve from the everyday stress would be something I could do to help him relax more. Whatever lies ahead for us, we should be able to cling to these moments together as a reprieve.
“Please go to sleep, honey. I can feel you thinking, and it’s keeping me up.”
Startled by his words, I kiss him softly, and without saying anything else, snuggle closer and allow the darkness to claim me as well. But before the darkness can take hold, it dawns on me that the nightmares that have plagued my life have not been coming on as regularly as they used to. It seems that with my focus on the current threats, they’ve disappeared. Then the relief of this realization gives way to a much-needed ten hours of uninterrupted sleep.
***
When I awake, Devin isn’t next to me, but I can still smell him on the other pillow as I roll over. Breathing in the heavenly intoxication that is Devin Robinson, my focus shifts to sorting through the last few weeks in my head. Difficult as it is to fathom, the someone who wanted to hurt them was not going to stop coming after them—no matter how determined we are to dissuade them otherwise.
I’m only certain of one thing: We can’t control what someone else is going to do, but we can control how we react.
At least we have the advantage of knowing someone is after us. Dread is still etched in my soul as I begin my day, however. Devin is determined to take whatever comes at him, but it gives me a sinking feeling that I desperately want to shake.
Resigned, I let the spray of water cascade down my body as I wash away the frustration. After all, “one day at a time” has been my mantra for years, before my relationship with Devin gave me hope for a better future. Now I just want to live my life to the fullest. An eternity of bliss with Devin won’t ever be enough, but I am damn sure I want it with every fiber of my being, and truth be told, I’m sure he wants it, too.
***
Taking to life in the city takes some adjustments on my part, as the sounds make me jumpy. The people also
make me nervous with their cutaway glances, along with the preoccupied looks they sometimes give me as they pass me by on the street. Keeping my routine is difficult when all I want to do is hide in my closet.
But as soon as my favorite bagel hits my lips, I begin to relax. Couple that with the mocha latte, and I feel bliss like no other. Eyes closed and just about to take another bite, I suddenly feel a light touch against my shoulder. Freaking out mid-chew, I jump, spitting the contents in my mouth across the table, right against the back of the man across the way.
“Shit!”
Laughing because he just can’t help himself, Devin showers the man with his apologies, even going as far as insisting he pay for his dry cleaning.
“Oh, my God! I’m so sorry, sir!”
I stand to help the man, trying to remove the cream cheese spread from the back of his shirt.
“Yes, please allow my boyfriend to pay for the dry cleaning.” I glare at Devin. “It’s the least he can do for nearly scaring me to death.”
Barely containing another chuckle, Devin once again apologizes as the man gets to his feet. Only then does Devin notice a familiarity in the man as he takes in the stranger’s face for the briefest of moments. Before he can say anything, though, the man hightails it down the street, hurrying away from us without saying a word.
“God, you’re beautiful,” Devin says to me then, taking in my disheveled appearance. “Even when I scare the crap out of you, and embarrass you on the sidewalk in front of complete strangers.”
He’s too freaking adorable for his own good.
“Ass.”
“That may very well be” he says, laughing, “But I’m your ass. Let’s get out of here.”
Then he turns to the audience now staring at us.
“Show’s over, folks.”
We begin walking toward the condo, and he tucks me into his side along the way as we stroll briskly down the street.
“Slow down, I can’t keep up with you!”
It feels like he’s completely determined to get me home—five minutes ago.
“Sorry, maybe I should carry you.”
“What’s the hurry?”
Heart's Desire (Game of Hearts Series Book 2) Page 9